Marriage and Divorce Records in Union County
These two record types follow different rules. Marriage in New Jersey is not mainly a court function. Marriage licenses are issued by local registrars in the municipalities, under state health rules, not by the Superior Court. The County Clerk historically recorded some older marriage and genealogy material, but modern certified vital records come through local registrars and the state health office.
Divorce is the opposite. A divorce case is a Superior Court Family Part matter, filed in the Union Vicinage. Those records are more restricted than ordinary civil files. So the two halves of this topic, marriage and divorce, lead to two different offices and two different request paths.
Marriage Licenses Through Local Registrars
To marry in New Jersey, you apply for a license through the local registrar. That is usually the registrar in the town where one applicant lives, or where the ceremony will happen if both applicants are out of state. New Jersey has a waiting period after you apply before the license is issued, unless a court waives it. The license is valid for a limited time, and an authorized officiant must perform the ceremony.
- Find the local registrar in the municipality where an applicant resides.
- Apply in person with proof of identity and residency, as the registrar directs.
- Bring a witness if the registrar requires one for the application.
- Wait the required period before the license is issued.
- Have an authorized officiant perform the ceremony, then the officiant returns the license for registration.
After registration, certified copies come from the registrar or the state health office. Same-sex marriage is recognized, and New Jersey does not newly create common-law marriage.
Marriage License Application Fields
The exact application is the local registrar's form, so fields vary a little by town. In general, an application asks for the details below. Confirm the current requirements with the municipal registrar before you go, since documents and witness rules can differ.
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Applicant information | Full name and details for both parties |
| Proof of identity | Government-issued ID for each applicant |
| Proof of residency | As required by the local registrar |
| Witness | A witness may be required for the application |
| Fee | Set by the registrar; confirm the current amount |
| Waiting period | Acknowledged at application unless waived by court order |
Officiants and the Ceremony
New Jersey law sets who may perform a marriage. Authorized officiants include judges, mayors, and recognized religious officials, among others the law allows. The officiant performs the ceremony within the license's valid period. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the registrar for registration, which is the step that creates the official record.
Only after that registration can a couple order certified copies. So the timeline runs from application, to waiting period, to license, to ceremony, to registration, and finally to a certified copy. If you need proof of marriage quickly, plan for the registration step rather than expecting the license alone to serve as the record.
Vital Records vs. Court Records
It helps to see the split clearly. A marriage record is a vital record held by the registrar and the state health office. A divorce record is a court record held by the Superior Court. They have different keepers, different access rules, and different request forms. The comparison sorts them.
| Marriage Record | Divorce Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Vital record | Court record |
| Kept by | Local registrar / state health | Superior Court Family Part |
| Access | Certified copies to eligible requesters | Party or attorney of record only |
| Where to ask | Municipal registrar | NJ Courts records request |
Divorce Records in Union County
Divorce cases are filed in the Union Vicinage Family Division at the Elizabeth courthouse. Divorce records are more restricted than ordinary civil case documents. NJ Courts is clear on this: divorce documents are released only to a party to the case or the attorney of record. So you cannot pull a stranger's divorce file the way you might read a civil case jacket.
Closed divorce cases are requested through the Superior Court Clerk's Office, and archived divorce cases also go through that office. The family case itself, while open, is handled by the Family Part in the vicinage. The final judgment of divorce is the document most people need, since it proves the marriage ended and may restore a prior name.
How to Request Divorce Copies
Because divorce documents are restricted, the request has extra steps. A party requester must include a valid state ID. Anyone who is not a party or the attorney of record must provide a court order directing the clerk to release the documents. You use the NJ Courts records request form and choose the correct processing location.
For an open Union County case, choose Union and the Family Division. For a closed or archived case, the request goes to the Superior Court Clerk's Office, as covered on the Superior Court Clerk page. Certified copies can be paid by credit card.
Filing for Divorce in Union County
If you are starting a divorce, NJ Courts has self-help resources for the process and forms. The steps below give the general order, though every case differs.
- Confirm New Jersey residency and jurisdiction using NJ Courts divorce self-help.
- Choose the right divorce packet, such as with or without children, and a fee waiver if you cannot pay.
- File through the electronic system or the Family Division as directed.
- Pay the filing fee or submit a fee waiver application.
- Serve the other spouse and file proof of service.
- Attend case management, mediation, or a hearing as required, then obtain the final judgment.
Check the current divorce filing fee on the NJ Courts fee schedule before you file, since fee amounts change.
Fees and Where They Are Set
Fees for these records are set by different offices, which is why there is no single price list. The table shows who sets each fee and where to confirm the current amount. Always check the current figure before you pay, since both the registrar and NJ Courts update their schedules.
| Item | Set By | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license | Local registrar / state health rules | Municipal registrar |
| Certified marriage copy | Local registrar / state health | Registrar or state health office |
| Divorce filing | NJ Courts | NJ Courts fee schedule |
| Certified divorce copy | NJ Courts | NJ Courts records request |
Name Change After Marriage or Divorce
A marriage or divorce can change a person's name. After marriage, the marriage record often supports a name change with agencies like the Motor Vehicle Commission and Social Security. After divorce, the final judgment can restore a prior name when the case asks for it. A standalone adult name change, outside of marriage or divorce, runs through Superior Court self-help forms and may require publication.
Minor or protected-party name changes can carry added confidentiality concerns, so those are handled with more care than a routine adult change.
Older Marriage Records and Genealogy
Family historians often want very old marriage records. The Union County Clerk historically recorded some older marriage and genealogy material, even though modern certified vital records run through local registrars and the state health office. So for a recent marriage, go to the registrar, but for a much older record, the County Clerk's historical files or state archives may hold it.
The County Clerk also points the public to local registrars for related vital records, such as death certificates needed in estate matters. For deeds and recorded documents, see the Union County Clerk page, which covers the office's recording role and search tools.
Custody and Support Records
Family matters reach beyond the divorce itself. Custody, child support, and non-dissolution family cases are also Family Part matters, and they carry their own access limits to protect children and families. These records are not as open as general civil files. NJ Courts self-help covers custody and support forms and the basic process.
Domestic violence matters are especially protected, since victim addresses and safety information are kept confidential. Those records are restricted even when related criminal enforcement information is available to authorized users. Because family records touch children, addresses, and finances, the access rules lean toward protection, so plan to show your role in the case when you request a copy.